Shim Shin Do - Are these awards fake?

It seems like it is so hard to sort out the McDojos from the real McCoys and often I see instructors claiming all sorts of awards and titles from places and organizations I've never heard of.

Just out of curiosity I checked out 'Master' Sergio Barriga's Shim Shin Do website and it seems he is raking in awards faster than the 'Natural' is proving age isn't always an issue in the UFC.

OK, so I'm supposed to believe based on his press that 'Master' Barriga invented the only true American martial art. Now I'm supposed to believe he is being recognized by all these organizations as 'National and International Hall of Fame 2005 Grand Master of the Year' and 'Elite Head 2006 Founder of the Year.'

Does anyone know if any of these awards are close to being legit? Or is it as I suspect a bunch of fellow McDojo owners scratching his back in hopes of future returns?

I can't copy the text because of their flashy interface, but if you go to the part about "the art", he says that sparring is bad because it makes you feel bad when you don't win, and thus sparring has been eliminated from the teaching curriculum. I think that says enough, in terms of measuring it against Bullshido's rubric of quality.

I can't copy the text because of their flashy interface, but if you go to the part about "the art", he says that sparring is bad because it makes you feel bad when you don't win, and thus sparring has been eliminated from the teaching curriculum. I think that says enough, in terms of measuring it against Bullshido's rubric of quality.

I realize that SSD is questionable at best based on having seen it first hand and the evidence on their own website.

My question is where do all these 'awards' come from? It seems like there are dozens of martial arts halls of fame. It's worse than the various boxing organizations.

This guy just happens to have a school in my area and seems to scream McDojo promoter.

When he claims to have won all these accolades it would be very interesting to be able to say 'bullshido.'

You bet they are!!! I am amazed that Grand Master "B" and his stolen art are still out there scamming people. Sad, very sad. This guy is no Grand Master and Shim Shin Do is no original art. Those of us that were there in the beginning know this to be true. Very few people stay around this guy long. Most figure him out pretty quickly. Watch out for this guy...he is ALL business! Its ALL about the money my friends. No honor, No integrity, No respect, and No limits to what this guy will do for money.

Something doesn't seem quite right does it!?

Sergio Barriga is both talented & a fake. Confusing right!? There are no 30 locations. He has 2 locations...one in Oldsmar and a new one in Trinity. It's his standard MO. He is very talented yet very dishonest. He ropes in an investor and starts a location. Then he romances their private students and top students away to his school and discredits the owner then minute they complain about licensing agreement, high test fees, seminar fees, etc. Basically he fleeces the sheep rather than building a martial arts empire. Why does he do this? Well, he received about 60k from the owner so he has made his money but at 51% ownership for a time, he controls it. He shows up enough to damage business due to his mental instability and conman type activities then slowly diminishes his support especially if the school starts doing well out of insane jealousy. Why does a crazy person do what they do? I don't know. He is basically way too unstable to continue with for long although at first he will flash a winning smile and be a cameleon to gain your trust. Don't believe me, tell his any line of bull and watch how he matches you. He is talented as a martial artist but both his awards and his stories of credentials are bogus. Every year, as a school owner you will recieve an invite to the Hall of Fame awards. You will be given a letter that shows you have been nominated. Then you will see its $200 a plate to fill a table at vegas to get your award. That's what he did. You are right. It's back scratching. Yes, he is by far one of the more talented fighters but he will have a kid teach you, not him although you paid for private lessons. He claims research but you will see none of it. He is claiming research in biomechanics but the only research was done by Grandmasters he trained under. He knows alot but if integrity, honesty and character are important to you and you are tired of seeing students intimidated and brain washed, then this is the worst of the worst.

Originally Posted by aiibaah

It seems like it is so hard to sort out the McDojos from the real McCoys and often I see instructors claiming all sorts of awards and titles from places and organizations I've never heard of.

Just out of curiosity I checked out 'Master' Sergio Barriga's Shim Shin Do website and it seems he is raking in awards faster than the 'Natural' is proving age isn't always an issue in the UFC.

OK, so I'm supposed to believe based on his press that 'Master' Barriga invented the only true American martial art. Now I'm supposed to believe he is being recognized by all these organizations as 'National and International Hall of Fame 2005 Grand Master of the Year' and 'Elite Head 2006 Founder of the Year.'

Does anyone know if any of these awards are close to being legit? Or is it as I suspect a bunch of fellow McDojo owners scratching his back in hopes of future returns?